This January Scottish University of Strathclyde has announced the launching of a new Masters in Financial Technology (Fintech). It is the first such program to be available in the UK, according to their website strath.ac.uk.

“The intensive, 12-month program, starting in September 2017, will combine a rigorous, core academic curriculum with the entrepreneurial and innovative elements of Fintech, including financial method, data analytics, regulation, and the applications of technologies such as blockchain and distributed ledgers.”, said the announcement.

The move comes after a recent study revealed that Scotland may soon loose over 14,000 jobs in its financial services sector over the next decade. The research was conducted by the Centre of Financial Regulation and Innovation by Strathclyde Business School and stated that Scotland should turn its attention to Fintech technology.

“The Scottish financial sector needs to capitalize on Fintech or miss out. Our new course will equip students with the essential skills and knowledge for a career in this field; it combines theory, intensive practice and industrial engagement.”, said Daniel Broby, Director of Strathclyde`s Centre for Financial Regulation and Innovation.

However, Scotland is not the only country introducing a Fintech course. As cryptocoinnews.com wrote, other universities around the world are realizing the potential benefits of blockchain and bitcoin.

In 2004, the University of Nicosia located in Cyprus, offered the first Master of Science in Digital Currency. The program was available through an online format, according to cryptocoinnews.com.

Last year Standford University launched a lab course on building bitcoin-enabled applications. By following the course, the students could learn how to rewrite Internet services based on bitcoin, explained cryptocoinnews.com.

With Fintech growing in popularity, more and more universities around the world include it in their course programs.